Crime, traffic woes drive list of Ward 1 concerns

Traffic concerns are an important issue to residents of Ward 1, especially at 112th Avenue and Country Hills Boulevard N.W. Here, a fire truck, gravel truck and car were involved in a collision last month. (Sept. 2017)
Al Charest/Postmedia

Dawn Stewart’s view of the city is coloured by a terrifying incident she survived last January in downtown Calgary.

The 12-year Ward 1 resident fought off a drug addicted sex attacker.

“The biggest issue I see right now is crime and the opioid crisis, and the fact police officers have to ride single in the downtown area to meet demand,” said the denizen of Royal Oak.

Closer to home, concerns about traffic safety are a common refrain, particularly stubborn concerns over heavy dump truck traffic at 112 Avenue and Country Hills Boulevard N.W.

“I’ve seen accidents where minivans coming out of the neighbourhood are sandwiched between gravel trucks,” said Stewart.

The City of Calgary’s new ward boundary map, effective election day 2017. Source: City of Calgary

Challenger Chris Blatch said current Coun. Ward Sutherland has had time to fix numerous problems in the ward and failed, adding the politician is vulnerable by being a member of an unpopular city council.

“From what I am hearing at the doors, Ward Sutherland is not being hurt by a negative perception of city council. Rather, he is one of the major causes of a negative perception of council,” said librarian Blatch.

Blatch said rising crime rates in areas like Tuscany and unsafe driving are common concerns, as are painful tax rates on residents and businesses.

Sutherland, however, noted Blatch’s contention that he’s in political trouble is hogwash because residents know his record in fixing critical infrastructure is sound.

“I get stuff done and people aren’t oblivious to that,” said Sutherland, who’s vying for a second term.

He said his efforts to transfer $10 million into upgrading 112 Avenue and getting it linked into Stoney Trail will soon bear fruit in reducing truck traffic at the “failed intersection” at Country Hills Boulevard.

Sutherland also said he’s been working with schools and police to improve safety for kids on area streets.

“I am committed to engaging with voters and representing them in council” says Bliss Taylor. “The community has informed me that the current Ward 1 councillor has not done that, and they are upset about it.”

Businessman Cam Khan is emphatic that not enough power is vested in the most local, grassroots form of governing in Calgary.

“I am running for community associations,” he said. “All communities’ associations will be very powerful with maximum authorities and discretion to spend city’s community development funding for the welfare of the society, improvement and development of their communities.”

Cam Khan

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term?

Khan – I am running for community associations, I will conduct quarterly meetings with community associations, get to know their community development problems and issues, especially how they are tackling red tapeism on a daily basis.

If I were elected, all community associations would be very strong and effective. Secondly, one fast subsidies return (7:30 a.m. from Ward 1 and return from downtown 5:30 p.m.) commute to the downtown from Ward 1.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Ward Sutherland (incumbent)

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term?

Sutherland – We need to get back to the business of delivering quality services to Calgarians, at the best value for their tax dollars. The primary duty of council is to understand the level of city services Calgarians want and determine how to most effectively deliver them. The challenge for council over the next four years, given a constrained revenue base, will be to direct the cost component of The City of Calgary’s operations.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Sutherland – Council needs to support the Calgary Economic Development’s current strategy of expanding and attracting the agricultural, transportation (in-land port hub), and technology industries. Additional components are the reduction of red tape businesses must deal with, and to provide a stable tax environment. As a member of the board of Calgary Economic Development for the last two years, I have fully supported this strategy.

Coral Bliss Taylor

Coral Bliss TaylorDean Piling/Postmedia

If elected, what is the one issue confronting the city that must be resolved during your term?

Bliss Taylor – I believe that economic diversification is the key to our future here in Calgary, and that starts at the ground level. More independent businesses are being started by our neighbours than ever before and North America is progressively looking to Calgary as an environment to invest. We see unprecedented local growth in areas like tech and manufacturing.

A supportive municipal government is integral to maintaining this pace. During my term, we must put Calgary on the path toward a bright future based on a diverse economy.

While improving, Calgary’s economy is still beleaguered. What is the most important thing council needs to do to help it improve?

Bliss Taylor – Economic diversification is one of our most pressing issues, and one of the main issues I’m running to address.

All levels of government need to be involved, but the city has a big role to play here. As councillor, I’ll ensure the City of Calgary supports the local economy with local sourcing, something it does not currently prioritize. The city is a big economic actor, in its purchasing, and our dollars need to support local growth.

We also have big opportunities to reduce the bureaucracy that small business is faced with when engaging the city. Finally, where the city does invest in economic diversification, there are opportunities to direct funds more efficiently. I know this from experience, having worked in business development for a tech startup in Calgary, and learned from entrepreneurs and investors what they need to help grow and diversify the economy here.

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